GCSE Exams 2021: New Details from Ofqual - What Will These Exams Look Like and When Will They Be? 

Hi Klaudia, yes, it's unnecessarily confusing. If they can give you a clear timetable of what is coming your way in May and June, then it will help you revise in a smarter way. This is what they should do...

I agree. That's the fairest way. There should be several dates where these exams take place, so that if you miss one, you will have further opportunities to provide evidence to the exam board. Each round of exams should have different external papers with different questions.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 there should be Autumn series of exams for people who wish to sit them like it happened in 2020 series. And during the Autumn series people should be sitting however many papers there are per subject normally, not just one paper per subject to have a better chance of getting decent grades.

The best thing is to keep revising, then you will be prepared for whatever they throw at you. Don't get too stressed. Best Wishes.

No, far from it. These exams will probably form the biggest percentage of the grade because it's the most recent evidence. They are very clear about this.

“Other performance evidence We propose that teachers should be able to take other evidence of a student’s performance into account when deciding on the grade to be submitted to the exam board.” - ofqual So If u have got evidence that u have been performing well then teachers take that into consideration if u don’t do as good in the mini exams I think That’s what I understand but idk really either

Yes, especially if you do well in the teacher assessments and on the external papers. Good luck.

It should be optional. You’d still have the chance to take it. Other people will be disadvantaged if it’s mandatory.

Hi, this is the important question still remaining, because teachers and schools will need to plan enough tests/assessments/exams to satisfy Ofqual and the exam boards that they have enough evidence. I think it will be really complicated if they are optional and the exam boards may ask for mandatory purely because of the logistics of moderating teacher assessments. I was an examiner for many years and it was always very hectic during the exam season because of the number of students and the time limitations. This just makes it worse. If they do make it optional they will have to trust teachers. Prepare by revising the subjects/topics you have been taught. Good luck.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 I hope they make it mandatory because my predicted grades aren't great and I think I can do much better

@@joelrl7621 same here

They will look and discuss and say all of the right things to make everyone feel involved in the process, but they have an overview and are supposed to be the experts, so they will ultimately do what they think is right. Whether that is right for everyone or not is another thing, but you can't please everyone. Some people will not agree with their plans.

Hi. The way I've interpreted Ofqual's detailed response is that if a teacher has not taught you a topic, then you would not be tested on it. For example, if you studied the Shakespeare text, even if not thoroughly, you could expect to be tested on this, whereas if you never even looked at the Victorian text you would not be tested on that. Hope that makes sense.

Yeh carry on doing that, good luck!!

I think they will expect you all to take some classroom exams in May and June if the Covid situation improves.

Thank you. The plan seems to be to publish the results in July, instead of August, so that they have enough time to deal with the number of appeals they are expecting. Good luck.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 Thank you very much for your reply it helped!!

Hi, I think it may be used, but the way Ofqual operate is they like to have evidence that can be quality assessed for accuracy and consistency. In other words, if they can't be sure how this work was obtained (fairly and without assistance) then they would prefer not to rely on it. That's why these new tests will feel more like exams, with conditions and rules.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 ok thank you again

I think the teachers should be given some options of what to test you on, as they know best what they have covered with you.

I think if you get good grades in May or June they will use them rather than mock grades. Good luck.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 thank you

The consultation is due for publication next week, I think. Once it is available I will read it and summarise the detail in a video on this channel. I don't expect it to be very different from their statements, but it should have more detail.

I think everything is available to use, but the focus is now on trying to do classroom assessments set by the exam boards or teachers in May and June. These will form the majority of evidence.

Yes

They won't go ahead as normal, but they will try to give you some classroom-based exams if they get time when you go back. May or June.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 okay, but these exams are going to take place internally (from the school and teachers) not externally from the actual exam board?

Yes, if you revise hard on the topics you've covered so far, I would expect students to go up one or two grades. Good luck.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 thank yu ::)))

That's not been decided yet, and I guess it will be flexible, so that those schools that have lost out on learning in the last year will be able to choose less papers to sit.

The mini exams and assessments in May and June will probably provide the main evidence, with other things used as back up when needed.

I think that depends on how much time is available, which partly depends on COVID. It may be decided that those students who have studied every topic may be able to choose to sit less papers if you have lost time at school.

It could be relevant, especially if online assessments are carried out or topics are taught that will be in the modified exams.

@@tutoringwithgavin4304 ok thanks

I think it's next week. I will put out a video as soon as it appears.

I think they might provide several opportunities for schools to run these mini exams.

Faxx

Hibba Majid ...but where is it?

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-how-gcse-as-and-a-level-grades-should-be-awarded-in-summer-2021 everyone, please complete the survey. It may be a bit longwinded but every person counts!